Post by faskew on Mar 1, 2019 9:42:55 GMT -5

I posted some info about Deep Fakes a few days ago. This is free, easy-to-use software that can put anyone’s face on a different person in a video. So you can make your least favorite politicians or relatives appear in a porn video or whatever, and it can look so real that only experts can spot the fakes.

Some new software is hitting cyberspace now called Deep Voice. If you can get a snip of someone’s voice, you can use it to make it seem like they’re saying stuff that they didn’t. Major use will be by phone con artists. They will spoof their phone number to make it look like your bank (or such) is calling and fake a voice that sounds like someone who works there, possibly someone you know and might recognize the voice. Then they might say that there’s been a security problem and they need to verify your password or other secret info. Next thing you know, your bank account is empty.

They might even use Deep Voice to duplicate a relative calling you to ask for money. “Grandma, I’ve been in a wreck and need some money to get home. Please let me use your credit card number to buy a bus ticket.” They can also use the software to remove accents, so those marketing callers from overseas can sound like someone from Kansas.

And so on. If you spend any time talking to a telemarketer, they can even record your voice and then use it to scam your friends and relatives. And because they can spoof phone numbers, what seems like someone you know may not be that person at all.

Like the poster on The X-Files used to say, “Trust No One.” At least not on the phone. If someone is asking you for money or personal information over the phone, ask them about some facts that only that person would know. Even then, be very, very careful.

Unfortunately, since these calls come from Russia, Israel, India, etc., US laws have no value at protecting us. There’s a push to get phone companies to make spoofing more difficult and other technological ideas that might be of use. But they are resisting. In the meantime, watch out.